No loss of points for bike 'dooring'

By Adam Carey

29 August 2012 — 3:00am

A PARLIAMENTARY inquiry into toughening laws against people who open car doors in the path of cyclists is against attaching demerit points to the offence, but has recommended raising the maximum fine from $366 to $1408.

The inquiry has also called on VicRoads to review before the end of 2014 whether the steeper penalties result in a reduction in the number of ''doorings''. If a drop has not happened, it recommends reconsidering hitting offenders with three demerit points.

The parliamentary committee has recommended raising the maximum fine for 'dooring' to $1408.Credit:Ari Hatzis

The parliamentary committee tabled its final report into amending road safety laws for dooring yesterday, in response to a member's bill introduced by state Greens leader Greg Barber earlier this year.

Mr Barber's bill called for a steep rise in the maximum fine for dooring and the ability for police to hit offenders with three demerit points.

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Last month the Baillieu government increased on-the-spot fines for dooring from $141 to $352, and raised the maximum penalty from three units to 10. The committee therefore recommended that Mr Barber withdraw his bill.

The Greens leader said yesterday that he would not withdraw his bill but would ''put the bill on hold'' while VicRoads conducted its review.

Cycling safety advocates, the Amy Gillett Foundation, also expressed disappointment that the committee had missed its chance to send a message to motorists that cyclists are ''mainstream road users''.

''Dooring cannot be treated with a slap on the wrist after the event,'' foundation chief executive Tracey Gaudry said. ''It is too late after a rider has been seriously injured or killed. The penalty should reflect the safety risk associated with the behaviour.''

Between 2006 and 2010 there were 616 recorded doorings in Victoria, according to VicRoads data. Eight per cent of serious injuries to cyclists are from being hit by a car door.

The report also recommended that Victoria Police be trained to enforce car dooring laws and be given guidelines on when an offender ought to be taken to court.

Under previous legislation, motorists could be fined $122 by police for creating a hazard for cyclists, while a court could impose a maximum fine of $366.

The seven-member committee failed to agree on whether demerit points should be attached to dooring.